BROOKLYN, N.Y. - The LIU Brooklyn women's soccer team was tabbed to finish second in the Northeast Conference Preaseason Coaches Poll, announced by the league on Monday afternoon. The Blackbirds, who have advanced to the NEC Tournament finals in each of the last four seasons, received a pair of first-place votes and are slotted just behind defending champion Saint Francis U., who garnered three first-place nods.
Overall, four teams earned first-place tallies including LIU, SFU, Central Connecticut and Fairleigh Dickinson. The Blue Devils matched Saint Francis with three first-place votes and are placed third in the preseason poll, while FDU earned the final top ballot and is slated to finish fourth.
LIU Brooklyn returns nine starters from last season's youthful squad that won its last four regular season matches in 2013 to tie for second place in the NEC standings. After a thrilling double-overtime victory over FDU in the NEC Tournament semifinals, the Blackbirds fell just short of capturing a third straight NEC crown in a narrow 1-0 loss to Saint Francis in the title game.
Sophomore Jenn Peters, who was named NEC Rookie of the Year after scoring seven goals and leaving LIU with 17 points last year, returns to lead an offense looking to surge under the direction of first-year head coach Jim Robbins. Seniors Caroline Kaplan, Jen Spicer and Sydney Ciufo also figure to play prominent roles in the Blackbirds' attack.
Defensively, all-conference performer Shannon O'Connor headlines a unit that gained valuable experience throughout last season. Junior Lucy Gunton-Jones and sophomore Asha Mohiddin, who each started all 20 matches for LIU Brooklyn last season, also return.
The Blackbirds open the season on Friday, Aug. 22 at LIU Field against Iona at 6:00 p.m. Admission is free for all fans, and the action will be available live on the NEC Front Row Digital Network.
2014 Northeast Conference Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Saint Francis U. (3)
2. LIU Brooklyn (2)
3. Central Connecticut (3)
4. Fairleigh Dickinson (1)
5. Wagner
6. Sacred Heart
7. Bryant
8. Robert Morris
9. Mount St. Mary's